It's
no secret that digital downloads of video games -- be it on the
console or PC -- are growing in popularity. However, the latest
numbers may come as a surprise to some.

According to a newly
published study by market researchers at the NPD Group,
entitled "PC Games Digital Downloads", almost half of the
purchases of PC games in 2009 were done online. The survey
estimates that 21.3 million PC games were purchased online, while
23.5 million games were sold in U.S. retail stores last year.

That
places the percentage of downloads at about 47.5 percent.
Overall Steam was
the most popular download service, followed by Direct2Drive,
Blizzard's direct download system, EA's direct download system, and
the World of Warcraft MMO.

Online social
network gaming is also on the rise with 4.3 million users
jumping on board between Q3 2009 to Q4 2009. Those gains have
hurt the casual gaming download market, which was topped last year by
Big Fish Games. Casual gaming titles, which typically feature
addictive gameplay and shareware schemes of some sort, are slowly
losing ground as customers discover free or cheap options on smart
phones or social networks.

Overall, the report delivered good
news for those in the gaming industry who make PC games. A
previous NPD
report had shown retail gaming sales
to be down as much as 15 percent in June. That report
only looked at offline purchases, though. The industry may have
actually grown when online purchases were factored in.

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